Skydive debut girl survives 3,500ft fall

A girl of 16 on her first skydive survived a 3,500ft fall after her parachute failed to open properly.

The jump was a birthday gift to Makenzie Wethington, who injured her liver and broke her spine, pelvis, a shoulder and several ribs in the plunge.

Her father Joe, who jumped first, landed safely and watched as his daughter spiralled out of control and smashed into the ground in Oklahoma, USA. The pair had been given six hours of training — but their family claims no instructor jumped with them. They have hired a lawyer and may press charges.

The injured girl’s sister Meagan said: “It’s a miracle she’s alive. Her vertebrae broke in half.” A trauma surgeon at the hospital where Makenzie is being treated said: “I have no idea how she survived.”

Amazingly Makenzie, of Joshua, Texas, is expected to recover fully after wearing a neck and back brace. The skydive company, Pegasus Air Sports Centre, said she failed to follow her instructions on how to activate her second chute.